Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan’s Udta Teer brings a comic twist to the world of espionage, mixing secret missions, mistaken identities, and action-packed situations with humour. For viewers who enjoy stories about undercover agents and dangerous intelligence operations, Bollywood offers plenty of other films to explore after watching this spy comedy.
From Akshay Kumar’s tactical missions in Baby to Alia Bhatt’s emotional undercover journey in Raazi, Hindi cinema has presented espionage in many different ways. Some films focus on international conspiracies, while others explore the personal sacrifices that come with living a secret life.
Here are eight Bollywood spy thrillers worth watching after Udta Teer, whether you prefer realistic investigations, romantic action, political suspense, or psychological drama.
1. Baby (2015)
Directed by Neeraj Pandey, Baby is an excellent choice for viewers who want a serious espionage thriller after the comedy of Udta Teer. Akshay Kumar plays Ajay Singh Rajput, an intelligence officer working with a secret counterterrorism team.
The story follows a series of covert operations designed to identify and stop threats before they become major attacks. The agents depend on surveillance, intelligence gathering, interrogation, and careful planning to complete their missions.
Unlike spy films that rely mainly on spectacular action, Baby creates suspense through the details of its operations. A small piece of information can change the direction of an investigation, and the characters must make difficult decisions under pressure.
Akshay Kumar’s controlled performance suits the film’s serious tone, while the supporting cast adds depth to the intelligence team.
Why watch it after Udta Teer? It offers a more realistic, mission-focused approach to espionage, making it ideal for viewers who want suspense without the comic misunderstandings.
2. Raazi (2018)
Raazi, directed by Meghna Gulzar, takes a deeply emotional approach to the spy genre. Alia Bhatt plays Sehmat, a young Indian woman who marries into a Pakistani military family during the 1971 war to gather intelligence for India.
The film builds suspense through everyday interactions rather than constant gunfights. Sehmat must protect her identity while observing people around her and passing important information to her handlers. Even an ordinary conversation can become dangerous if she makes a mistake.
The emotional complexity of the story makes it stand out. Sehmat develops relationships with the people in her new household, creating a painful conflict between personal feelings and professional responsibility.
Alia Bhatt delivers a performance that captures the character’s fear, courage, and growing emotional burden. The film also explores the human cost of espionage, showing that a successful mission does not necessarily mean a happy personal outcome.
Why watch it after Udta Teer? Choose Raazi if you prefer an intimate spy story with emotional stakes and a strong central performance.
3. Madras Cafe (2013)
John Abraham stars in Madras Cafe, a political thriller directed by Shoojit Sircar. Set against the background of the Sri Lankan Civil War, the film follows an Indian intelligence officer who becomes involved in a complicated investigation involving militant groups and political conspiracies.
The story is more grounded than many mainstream action films. Instead of presenting intelligence work as a series of easy victories, it shows how difficult it can be to understand competing interests and uncover the truth in a dangerous environment.
The film’s atmosphere is one of its strongest features. Political tensions, uncertain information, and covert activities create a constant sense of unease. The narrative also draws attention to the consequences of decisions made by people operating behind the scenes.
Because the story involves sensitive historical and political themes, it is best approached as a dramatic film rather than a complete account of real events.
Why watch it after Udta Teer? Madras Cafe is a strong choice for viewers interested in political intrigue and intelligence operations rather than light-hearted spy entertainment.
4. Ek Tha Tiger (2012)
If you enjoy romance mixed with espionage, Ek Tha Tiger is a natural recommendation. Directed by Kabir Khan, the film stars Salman Khan as Tiger, an Indian intelligence agent assigned to investigate a scientist.
During his mission, Tiger meets Zoya, played by Katrina Kaif. Their growing relationship becomes complicated when he discovers that she has connections to Pakistan’s intelligence service.
The film combines undercover operations with international travel, action sequences, romance, and questions of loyalty. Its lighter romantic moments balance the danger surrounding the central characters.
Ek Tha Tiger also launched the foundation of the Yash Raj Films spy universe, which later expanded with films such as Tiger Zinda Hai, War, and Pathaan.
The movie may not aim for the grounded realism of Baby or Madras Cafe, but its entertaining mix of romance and action makes it a popular entry in the genre.
Why watch it after Udta Teer? It suits viewers who want an accessible spy adventure with romance, star power, and energetic action.
5. War (2019)
Directed by Siddharth Anand, War stars Hrithik Roshan as Kabir, a highly skilled intelligence officer who appears to have gone rogue. Tiger Shroff plays Khalid, the agent assigned to track him down.
The situation creates a central mystery: why would an experienced officer turn against his own organisation? As Khalid follows Kabir’s trail, the mission becomes more complicated and the distinction between loyalty and betrayal becomes increasingly difficult to understand.
The film is known for its elaborate action sequences, stylish presentation, and confrontations between its two leading actors. It focuses more on large-scale spectacle than on the slow investigative process seen in some other spy films.
Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff bring contrasting screen styles to their roles, making their rivalry an important part of the movie’s appeal.
Why watch it after Udta Teer? War is ideal if you want fast-paced action, surprising revelations, and a visually grand spy adventure.
6. D-Day (2013)
D-Day, directed by Nikkhil Advani, follows a team of Indian agents sent on a dangerous mission to capture a wanted criminal hiding in Pakistan. The cast includes Irrfan Khan, Arjun Rampal, Rishi Kapoor, and Huma Qureshi.
The operation requires the agents to work undercover while navigating hostile surroundings and unpredictable situations. As the mission progresses, their plans become increasingly difficult to control.
What makes D-Day interesting is its attention to the people behind the operation. The agents are not presented simply as fearless heroes; they have personal struggles, responsibilities, and reasons for accepting the risks involved.
The film balances action with emotional drama, creating a darker atmosphere than many commercial spy adventures. Its story also explores the consequences of pursuing a mission in which failure can carry serious personal and professional costs.
Why watch it after Udta Teer? Pick D-Day for a gritty covert-operation story with strong performances and a serious tone.
7. Phantom (2015)
Starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif, Phantom is an action thriller directed by Kabir Khan. The story centres on a covert mission following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, with a disgraced soldier drawn into an operation involving people linked to the attacks.
The narrative moves through several international locations and places its central character in dangerous situations where secrecy and quick decisions are essential. The mission is driven by questions of justice, revenge, and national security.
Compared with Raazi, the film is more action-oriented. It features confrontations, pursuit sequences, and an intense atmosphere built around the idea of an operation conducted outside ordinary channels.
Although the plot is fictionalised, it draws on real-world events and political tensions. Viewers should remember that dramatic spy films often simplify complicated situations to serve their stories.
Why watch it after Udta Teer? Phantom is worth considering if you want a revenge-driven espionage story with international action.
8. Khufiya (2023)
For viewers who prefer psychological tension over large action scenes, Khufiya offers a different kind of spy thriller. Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, the film stars Tabu as Krishna Mehra, an intelligence operative investigating a suspected leak of confidential information.
As the investigation develops, the story moves beyond the search for a source of leaked information. Personal relationships, hidden motives, and difficult moral choices complicate the case.
Tabu’s performance gives the film much of its intensity. Her character must manage professional obligations while dealing with personal experiences that affect her understanding of the people involved.
The slower pace allows the story to explore uncertainty and mistrust. Rather than giving viewers constant action, Khufiya encourages them to question what they know about the characters and their motivations.
Why watch it after Udta Teer? It is a strong option for viewers who enjoy secret identities, layered characters, and suspense that develops gradually.
Which Bollywood Spy Thriller Should You Watch First?
The best choice depends on what you want from your next film. If you enjoyed the espionage concept in Udta Teer but want a different tone, these recommendations offer several directions.
- For realistic missions: Start with Baby.
- For emotional storytelling: Choose Raazi.
- For political intrigue: Watch Madras Cafe.
- For romance and action: Try Ek Tha Tiger.
- For large-scale action: Pick War.
- For psychological suspense: Choose Khufiya.
You can also explore D-Day and Phantom if you prefer dangerous covert missions and stories built around national security.
Why Bollywood Spy Thrillers Remain Popular
Spy films combine several elements that keep audiences engaged: mystery, danger, hidden identities, unexpected betrayals, and characters forced to make difficult decisions. The genre also allows filmmakers to explore patriotism, loyalty, personal sacrifice, and political conflict.
Bollywood has developed different styles within this category. Some movies, such as War, prioritise action and spectacle. Others, such as Raazi, examine the emotional consequences of espionage. Films like Khufiya focus on suspicion and complicated relationships, while Baby emphasises planning and intelligence gathering.
The rise of spy comedies adds another dimension. A film such as Udta Teer can use familiar espionage conventions for humour, while more serious titles explore the risks and responsibilities associated with intelligence work.
This variety means the genre offers more than one kind of entertainment. Whether you prefer comedy, action, romance, or suspense, there is a spy film suited to your mood.
Conclusion
After Udta Teer, Bollywood offers plenty of ways to continue exploring the world of espionage. Baby and Madras Cafe provide serious missions, Raazi delivers emotional depth, and Ek Tha Tiger blends romance with action. Meanwhile, War, D-Day, Phantom, and Khufiya offer different combinations of spectacle, danger, and psychological tension.
For a first pick, Baby is an excellent all-round recommendation. If you would rather watch a story that focuses on personal sacrifice, choose Raazi. Both demonstrate how effectively Hindi cinema can turn secret missions into compelling drama.
FAQs About Bollywood Spy Thrillers
1. Which Bollywood spy thriller should I watch after Udta Teer?
Baby is a great choice for a serious, mission-focused thriller. If you prefer emotional storytelling, Raazi is another excellent option.
2. Which Hindi spy film has a strong undercover story?
Raazi follows a young Indian woman who gathers intelligence while living with a Pakistani military family during the 1971 war. Madras Cafe also explores covert intelligence work in a politically complex setting.
3. Which Bollywood spy thriller has the most action?
War is a strong pick for viewers who enjoy elaborate action sequences and dramatic confrontations. Ek Tha Tiger and Phantom also combine espionage with mainstream action.
4. Is Raazi based on a true story?
Raazi is adapted from Harinder Sikka’s novel Calling Sehmat, which was inspired by a story presented as involving an Indian woman who gathered intelligence during the 1971 war. The film includes dramatised elements.
5. Which Bollywood spy thriller is best for psychological suspense?
Khufiya is a good choice for viewers interested in mistrust, personal secrets, and moral ambiguity. It places greater emphasis on character and atmosphere than on nonstop action.
